Selective aerating arrangement



July 19, 1966 J. A. HJULIAN 3,261,555

SELECTIVE AERATING ARRANGEMENT Filed Feb. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I3 55 1255 5660 @l 4g l 54 55 70 J4 @a sa July 19, 1966 .1.A. HJULIAN 3,261,555

SELECTIVE AERATING ARRANGEMENT Filed Feb. 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,261,555 SELECTIVE AERATIN G ARRANGEMENT Julius A. Hjulian, 12646 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, lll. Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 439,494 6 Claims. (Cl. 239-427) This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Serial No. 308,441 filed September 12, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to lfaucets and other water discharge members, the invention relating more particularly to aerator attachments for such devices and relating especially to a se-lective aerating arrangement.

It has proved highly desirable to aerate the discharge from domestic water faucets, particularly kitchen and 'bath-room faucets, because aeration reduces the density of the discharged fluid thereby substantially reducing its tendency to splash. Accordingly, many types of aerators have been introduced; and aerators have become so popu- Ilar as to be almost universally utilized in domestic applications. However, aerated water is not desired at all times, even fro-m faucets where it is wanted most of the time. For example, a solid, coherent stream of water is preferred for making a solution of dishwashing detergent because such a stream minimizes foaming. On the other hand, dishwashing detergent mixed with aerated water has been found to froth and foam excessively. Regardless, -prior art aerators have made no provision for selecting between and aerated and an all-liquid discharge.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for selectively changing an aerator discharge into a solid, coherent ow.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved aerator arrangement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adaptor for use with aerator attachments to permit selecting between aerate-d and non-aerated discharge.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following descriptions.

An aerator converter in accord with the invention includes an imperforate tubular wall having a throat portion adjacent one end for contacting the outside of an aerator device at a position spaced above the discharge end thereof. An outlet port-ion is arranged on the other end of the tubular wall spaced from throat portion to define a chamber beneath the discharge end of the aerator device. This chamber normally passes the aerated discharge from the aerator device and acts to receive a flood of discharging liquid when a momentary backup is caused in the ow of the liquid, this flood merging with the flow of liquid to cut off the normal iiow of gas around the flow of liquid and to the aerator dewice. A sealing member is arranged to act between the throat portion and the aerator device to prevent air from entering the chamber to displace the described flood.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of operation, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a water Ifaucet with an aerator device attached thereto and with an aerator converter, that has been constructed in compliance with principles of the invention, assembled to the aerating device;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the normal condition of the aerating device and aerator converter for discharging an aerated stream;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 2 but illustrating the flooded condition of the aerator converter -for discharging a solid, coherent stream;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a water faucet with an aerator arrangement constructed in accordance Iwith the invention attached thereto, the aerator arrangement including an aerating device and a converter member for selecting between aerated and non-aerated discharge;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 2 but illustrating assembly of the aerator converter to an aerating device having radial air-inlet ports; and

FIG. `8 is an exploded view showing the elements which form the structure of the conventional aerator illustrated in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of converter.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, specifically to FIG. 1, a water faucet 10 has assembled thereto a selective aerating arrangement indicated generally by the numeral 12. The faucet 10 is connected to a source of water supply (not shown) by means of a fitting 14; the faucet being of the type having an outside threaded discharge end 18. The selective arrangement 12 is made up of a conventional aerator device 20 and an aerator converter 22 which is constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Considering FIG. 2, the aerator device 20 comprises a generally cylindrical casing 24- that has an internally threaded upper portion 26 which threadedly engages the lower, externally threaded end of the reducer fitting 18. The lower end of casing 2-4 terminates in an inturned lip 27. Vertical ribs 2-8 are raised from the inner surface of casing 24 for use in mounting a skirt member 3d within the casing. The ribs 28 are spaced apart angularly, as is shown in FIG. 4, and the skirt member 30 is arranged to take a shape similar to that of the casing 24 but of lesser diameter, the ribs 28 cooperating with the skirt member 30 thereby in defining an annular air-inlet passageway 32 leading upwardly from the lip 27. The skirt member 30 has a discharge edge 33 disposed radially inwardly of the lip 27.

The aerator device 20 also includes a baffle cup 34 which is disposed on the upper ends of ribs 28 and which is centrally perforated to direct the flow of water over a mixing element 36. The mixing element 36 is dependingly supportedvfrom a breaker plate 38, plate 38 being fashioned with a series of angularly spaced ports 48 having their centers located on a circle that is concentric with the plate 38. The edges of the breaker plate 38 are superposed on the baffle cup 34; and advantageously, a washer 42 of rubber or other suitable material is disposed between the lower end of reducer fitting 18 and the breaker plate 38. The aerator device 20 being of conventional design, may employ a screen 44 or other type mesh element within the skirt 3f) beneath the mixing element 36. This screen serves as means for breaking up the solid flow of water through the skirt 30.

In use of the aerator device 2i), water flows through the ports 40 and over the lateral edges of the mixing element 36, the edges of the central aperture in baf'lie cup 34 controlling this flow over the edges of the mixing element. The water cascading from the edges of the mixing element 36 aspirates air through the passageway 32, between the ribs 28 and .between the upper edges of skirt member 30 and the lower surface of bafile cup 34. The air thus drawn into the interior of skirt member 30 mixes with the Water cascading from the element 36 w-hereby to develop Ian aerated discharge from the device 20. This aspirating of air and mixing action is illustrated in FIG. 2 where solid line arrows indicate the ow of water and broken line arrows indicate the flow of air.

In compliance with the present invention, the aerator converter 22 is attached to the aerator device 20 for selectively changing the aerated discharge from the device 20 into a solid, coherent flow; and continuingwith reference to FIG. 2, the aerator converter 22 is seen to comprise an imperforate tubular wall or sleeve 46 having a throat portion 48 at its upper end and an outlet portion 50 at its lower end. The throat portion 48 is fashioned with a cylindrical wall or surface 52 which is adapted t0 contact the outside of the cylindrical casing 24 of aerator device 20 at a position spaced about the discharge end thereof. Moreover, the outlet portion 50 includes an annular, inwardly extending flange 54 which is spaced beneath the throat portion 48 and beneath the discharge end of the aerator device 20 to dene an annular chamber S6 internally of the converter. The central opening in the flange 54 is sized to pass aerated water downwardly asa centr-al core and to pass a peripheral flow of air upwardly to the passageway 32 as has been indicated in FIG. 2.

, This delines the normal condition of the cooperating converter and aerator device.

The sleeve 46, the throat portion 48 and the outletl portion 50 are inexpensively fabricated by being formed integral from a suitable resinous plastic material such as for example the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers. Other materials may of course be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, the aerat-or converter 22 is arranged to include sealing means acting between the throat portion 48 and the casing 24 of aerator device 20 in order to prevent air from entering the chamber 56 from the upper end of the sleeve 46. In the embodiment of FIGS. l-4, an annular gasket seat 58 is formed in the t-hroat portion 48, seat 58 taking square cross-section and opening through the surface 52 toward the outside wall of the casing 24. The sealing means includes a rubber O-ring l( which is disposed in the seat S in resilient, sealing contact with the outside surface of casing 24.

Many occasions arise wherein it is desirable to convert the aerated flow from the device into a solid, coherent flow. The generally undesirable 'behavior of dishwashing detergent mixed with aerated water has been mentioned hereinabove. Additionally, a solid coherent ow is desirable when the surrounding atmosphere contains gaseous contaminants and when it is desired to prevent these contaminants from entering and dissolving in the liquid emanating from the aerator device 20. Furthermore, a solid, coherent flow is more advantageous than an aerated discharge in rinsing detergent or soap solution from washed vessels. Also, a solid, coherent flow is of greater advantage than an aerated discharge when a measuring vessel is to be `filled with a definite amount of liquid.

Accordingly, when a solid, coherent ow is desired from the aerating `arrangement 12, it is only necessary to provide a momentary obstruction in the discharge passing from the converter 22 in order to develop a momentary backup in the ow. Such an obstruction may be developed by passing a knife blade 62 indicated in FIG. 3, a finger or some other object through the discharge from the converter 22. This object does not have to -be solid nor does it necessarily have to contact the lower edge of the converter 22. The momentary obstruction of the aerated flow causes the discharging liquid to backup and flood the chamber 32 and 56, as is indicated by the solid line arrows in FIG. 3. The flood of liquid in the chamber S6 is believed to be held there by the aspirating suction of the flow emanating from the converter 22, the flood merging with this flow after the obstruction has been removed, but now the discharge from the converter 22 spans the central opening in the flange 54 thereby preventing air 4 from rising upwardly toward the device 20. In effect, this flooding of the chamber 56 valves the flow of air to cut olf the same and terminate aeration.

When it is desired to resume aerated discharge, it is only necessary to turn olf the faucet 10 in order to terminate the aspirating suction and permit the liquid which has flooded into the chamber 56 to drain therefrom. Upon re-initiating flow through the faucet 10, the aerating arrangement 12 functions as has been described with reference to FIG. 2, namely air flowing upwardly around the periphery of the liquid discharge from the lower end of the converter 22.

The operation of selective aerating arrangement 12 in the manner described hereinabove has been found to be dependent upon proper placement and proper dimensioningof the sleeve 46 and the outlet portion S0. In particular, the distance between the discharge edge 33 and the upper edge of angel 54 has been found to be critical t-o the desired functioning of theselective aerating arrangement. In addition, t-he size of the inside diameter of the iiange 54 relative to the size of the inside diameter of the discharge edge 33 has been found to have a strong influence on the desired functioning of the aerating arrangement.

In this regard, certain salient dimensionsv have been indicated in FIG. 2. There, the reference letter A designates the spacing or clear span between the upper edge of the flange 54 and the lower or discharge edge 33 of the skirt 30. The reference letter B represents the radial dimension of the gas inlet annulus or region provided between the inner edge of the flange 54 and the outer limit of the liquid ow passing through the opening defined by t-he flange, it being assumed that this liquid ow possesses an outside shape and dimension which is established by and is substantially the same as the opening defined by the discharge edge 33. Similarly, the reference letter C designates the inside diameter of the flange 54. In addition, the reference letter D -represents'the inside diameter of the skirt 30 at its lower or discharge edge 33; and the reference letter E represents the inside diameter of the tubular sleeve 46. Actual measurements of these dimensions in a number of specic units'are collected in Table I set forth below.

Table I 2B E C Observed Sample A C D E (C perform- -D) 2 2 ance In. In. Unit #L 0. 037 0. 0915 Good. Unit #2. 0. 028 0. 1480 Marginal. Unit #3. 0. 093 0. 1270 Unita e. Unit #4 1%2 0.682 0.650 0.987 0.032 0.1525 Good. Unit #5 #32 0.680 0.650 0.930 0.030 0.1250 Unsuitable. 0. 030 0.1250 Good. 0.035 0.121 D0. 0.050 0,1290 D0. 0.030 0.101 D0. l 0.050 0,115 Do. 0. 070 0.105 D0. Un1t#l0 1%2 0.728 0 648 0.928 0.080 0.100 Unsuitable.

The performance of the specific sample units described in Table I was determined using water as the flowing liquid and using the water under conventional household pressure. A performance rated as good indicates that the unit was observed to develop an aerated discharge upon initiating ow, that the unit was observed to deliver a non-aerated discharge upon a momentary backup being created in the original aerated discharge, and that the unit was noted as draining completely upon termination of the non-aerated discharge so as to permit reinstitution of the aerated discharge. A performance rated as unsuitable indicated that the unit in question was observed to fail in one or more of the three aforementioned factors; and a performance set forth as marginal indicates that the behavior of the unit was observed to be erratic; and while the unit functioned as desired on some occasions, it failed to so function each time that it was operated.

It will become apparent from an inspection of Table I that dimension A has a minimum value which is critical to the successful operation of the unit, although no critical maximum value for this dimension is apparent. The critical minimum value for dimension A is about 6 to 7/32 of an inch in the units examined. In order to establish this minimum value, the sleeve 46 may be provided with two or more arcuately spaced stops 62 to contact the skirt 30, as is indicated in FIGS. 24. rl`he term eifective minimum value as used herein with respect to the vertical distance separating the discharge edge 33 and the converter flange 54 is intended to mean, not only the aforesaid critical minimum value for the quantity A, but also all other relative spacings of the discharge edge and converter iiange which serve to produce the desired functioning of the aerator converter of the invention.

The dimension C has a critical relationship with the dimension D, an inspection of Table I indicating a critical range of values for proper functioning of the units. In this regard, it appears that the value (C-D) must reside between about 0.030 inch and about 0.080 inch in order for the unit to operate in the desired fashion. It is recognized that the respective areas encompassed by the inner edge of ange 54 and by the discharge edge 33 could be arranged in an asymmetrical manner to give an equivalent area. It should also be recognized from an inspection of Table I that dimension D is substantially constant for a considerable number of commercial units. Hence, critical values can be readily assigned to dimension C where dimension D is constant. The term operating range as used herein with respect to the relative transverse dimensions of the discharge edge 33 and the inner edge of converter flange 54 is intended to mean, not only the aforesaid critical range of values for the quantity (C-D), but also all other relative dimensions of the discharge edge and converter flange and equivalent relative areas which serve to produce the desired functioning of the aerator converter of the invention even though it be employed in systems utilizing pressures other than conventional household water pressure and even though it be used with uids other than air and water.

The data accumulated in Table I also reveals that the Width of the ange 54, i.e. the value (E/2-C/2), is not critical to the desired operation of the unit so long as a physically definite ange is present in the unit. Furthermore, it will be observed that the dimension E may vary widely and may be either considerably greater than the outside diameter of the casing 24 or fitting closely therewith.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been thus far shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modilications may be made. Therefore, and in order to enhance the understanding of the invention, additional embodiments of the invention are shown respectively in FIGS. 5-6, FIGS. 7-8 and FIG. 9. Since these latter two embodiments incorporate many elements which are similar to those found in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, like numerals have been used to designate like parts, the suiiix letter a being employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the suffix letter b being employed to indicate those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, and the suiix letter c being employed to indicate those elements associated with the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Turning to a detailed consideration of FIGS. 5 and 6, the aerating arrangement 12a is shown to be characterized by the provision of an aerator device a integral with a converter 22a. More specifically, the throat portion 48a of sleeve 46a is provided with internal threads for threadedly engaging the threaded end 18a of the faucet. Sealing means 42a between the throat portion 48a and the threaded end 18a prevents air from entering the chamber 56a to displace liquid ooded therein. Threaded engagement of the throat portion 48a and the faucet end 18a also establishes the spacing between discharge edge 33a and the upper edge of the iiange 54a. Accordingly, there is no need for a stop on the sleeve 46a. Furthermore, the casing of the aerator device is eliminated and the vertical ribs 28a are formed on the inside surface of the sleeve 46a. In other respects, the aerating arrangement 12a is constructed and functions similarly to the aerating arrangement 12 as described hereinabove. As will be recognized, the arrangement 12a may be employed as an original installation Whereas the converter 20 is especially useful as an adaptor with an existing aerated faucet.

The embodiment of the invention shown n FIGS. 7 and 8 is characterized by the assemlby of an aera-tor converter with a conventional, radially ported aerator device 2017, there being no appreciable change in the aerator converter 22b over the aerator converter 22 disclosed in FIGS. 1-4. The aerator device 20h includes a cylindrical sleeve 30b having an internally threaded upper end portion 26b for threaded engagement with an externally threaded water supply pipe or faucet 10b. The sleeve 30b also includes a lower end portion 24b deiiected radially inwardly.

The structural arrangement of the conventional aerator 20h may best be appreciated from FIG. 8, ywherein an exploded view of the constituent par-ts are disclosed. The device consists primarily of four elements; namely, the aforesaid sleeve member 30h, screen member 44b, perforated cup member 36b and a second perforated disc- Ilike member 40h. As shown in FIG. 7, the aerator 20b may employ a plurality of ne screens as the occasion may demand. From the assembled arrangement of the aerator parts just described as illustrated in FIG. 7, it will be apparent that Water flowing from the faucet 10b will be broken up by the apertures in the member 40b and also by the apertures in the sleeve member 36h. Apertures 37b in the cup member 36b communicate With the radial apertures 3917 provided in the sleeve member 30h. Thus as the water flows through the faucet 10b, air is drawn in through the radial openings 39b and the communicating apertures 37b. In this manner, the column of water is aerated just prior to the passage thereof through the `screens 44b.

When the converter member 22b occupies the position sho-wn in FIG 7, the seal or O-ring 60b thereof functions simi-larly to the previously described O-ring 60 of FIG. 2 to hold the converter in the desired position upon the aerator sleeve 30h. 'Phe directional arrows as shown in FIG. 7 illustrate the manner in which the aerated Water is discharged through the bottom opening 50b in the converter and ai-r is drawn upwardly into the chamber 56b and the annular passageway 32b and thence through t-he -above-mentioned radial ports or openings 39b in the sleeve member 3017. Also, by momentarily obstructing ,the Ifree flow of aerated wa-ter through the discharge aperture of the converter 22h, as previously described in connection With FIGS. 1 6, inclusive, the chamber 56b and the annular passageway 32b may be ooded and the aeration of the water discontinued.

In FIG. 9, a slightly modiiied form of converter is disclosed in fragmentary section. This section cor-responds :with the portion included within the bracket A of FIG. 7. The element or sleeve 30C and the port 39C of FIG. 9 correspond respectively with the sleeve 30b and the port 39b of FIG. 7. The modiiied converter member in FIG. 9 is designated generally by numeral 22a` and it will ibe noted that the inner surface of the converter sleeve 46c is provided with two axially spaced sealing members or O-rings 60C and 60C. When the converter occupies this position no aeration occurs, due to the fact that said rings prevent air from passing through the ports 39C. If the converter sleeve 46c is shifted downwardly so as to cause the seal or O-ring 60C to superimpose the ports 39e, or upwardly so as to cause the O-ring 60C to superimpose said ports, aeration will then take place. This is due to the fact that while the O-rings 66e and 60e are adapted to ove-rlie the ports 39e, they will not completely seal said ports from the intake of air. Therefore, sufficient .amounts of air pass through said ports to cause aeration. Thus with the device shown in FIG. 9, aeration or non-aeration may be selectively controlled by merely shifting the converter sleeve to one of the positions described above.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a very practical yet extremely simple aerator control device which may be incorporated as a unitary part of the aerator or as an attachment thereto. By depriving the solid water'mass of air intake, a very smooth, non-splashing flow of water results. This type of flow from a faucet is frequently .desired when rinsing or when it is found desirable to cut down the developyment of foam or bubbles resulting from the discharge of water into a body of water containing a detergent.

'It should also be noted that the axial shifting of the converter member is important in instances where it is desired to adjust its position in accordance with the available water pnessure. When the pressure of the water is relatively high, the sleeve may be moved downwardly so as to position the discharge opening of the converter an appreciable dist-ance below the discha-rge opening of the aerator. Conversely, when the water pressure is relatively low, the converter sleeve will function more effectively if shifted toward its upper position upon the aerator sleeve. It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention is not limited to the use of an aerator converter having a single sealing member or O-r-ing. The converter device as shown could be equipped with .a pair of O-rings; one above the radial ports or apertures 39h, and one below said apertures. With such a construction the aerator converter could be shifted either 'upwardly or downwardly depending upon the required results. Also by having the converter made of materials having a small degree of resiliency, as distinguished from =hard metal, the breakage of dishes and other refractory objects is reduced materially.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a selective aerating arrangement, the combination comprising: a liquid discharge member; an aerator device at the outlet end of said discharge member including gas-inlet mean-s and an annular wall with a fluid discharge edge at its lower end; an elongated imperforate tubular wall telescoped over said aerator device spaced radially outwardly from said discharge edge; a throat portion adjacent one end of said tubular wall for contacting one of said discharge member and said aerator device at a posi- 4tion spaced above said discharge edge; an outlet portion on the other end of said tubular Wall including an anuular inwardly extending flange spaced beneath said throat portion `and beneath said discharge edge to define internally an annular chamber surrounding the flow of liquid from said aerator device beneath the dischange edge thereof, said chamber normally passing gas to said gas-inlet means and normally passing aerated discharge from said device, said annular chamber acting to receive a flood of discharging liquid when a momentary backup is caused in the flow of said liquid whereby said flood merges with said flow to cut off -the pp rmal flow of gas around s-aid liquid flow and to said aerator device for developing a nonaerated discharge, said flange obstructing gravitational drainage of said flood during continuation of said flow of liquid; and sealing means acting between said tubular wall and the contacted one of asid aerator device and said discharge member to prevent air from entering said chamber from said throat portion to displace sa-id flood, wherein ythe `arithmetic .difference between the inside diameter of said annular flange and the inside diameter of said annular waill at said discharge edge has an operati-ng range of lfrom about 0.030 inch to about 0.080` inch and wherein the distance between the upper edge of said flange and said discharge edge has an effective minimum value of about 6/32 of an inch whereby to cause said chamber t-o flood and stay flooded upon development of a said backup and whereby to permit said chamber to drain upon termination of said non-aerated discharge.

2. In a selective aerating arrangement including a liquid discharge member and an aerator device at the outlet end of said discharge member, said aerator device having gas-inlet means and having a first wall with a fluid discharge edge -at its lower end, the combination comprising: an elongated imperforate wall adapted to be telescoped over said aerator device spaced radially outwardly from said discharge edge; a throat portion adjacent one end of said imperforate wall for contacting one of said discharge member and said aerator device at a position spaced above said discharge edge; an outlet portion on the other end of said imperforate Wall including an inwardly extending flange spaced beneath said throat portion and beneath said discharge edge to define internally a chamber substantially surrounding the flow of liquid from said aerator device beneath the discharge edge thereof, said chamber normally passing gas to said gas-inlet means and normally passing aerated discharge from said device, said chamber acting to receive a flood of discharging liquid when a momentary backup is caused in the ow of said liquid whereby said flood merges with said flow to cut off the normal flow of gas around said liquid flow and to said aerator device for developing a non-aerated discharge, said flange obstructing gravitational drainage of said flood during continuation of said flow of liquid; sealing means acting between said imperforate wall and the contacted one of said aerator device and said discharge member to prevent air from entering said chamber from said throat portion to displace said flood; and stop means extending radially inwardly from said imperforate wall to establish an effective minimum value of about (/32 of an inch for the distance between the upper edge of said flange and a said discharge edge whereby to cause said chamber to flood and rem-ain flooded upon development of a said backup and whereby to permit said chamber to drain upon termination of said non-aerated discharge.

3. In a selective aerating arrangement, the combination according to claim 1 wherein said gas-inlet means includes gas-inlet apertures disposed upstream from discharge edge and wherein said tubular wall has a greater diameter than said aerator device whereby to define an annular gas passageway therebetween for norm-ally passing a stream of gas to said gas-inlet apertures.

4. In a selective aerating arrangement, the combination according to claim 1 wherein said gas-inlet means are disposed at said discharge edge.

5. In a selective aerating arrangement including a liquid discharge member and an aerator device at the outlet end of said discharge member, said aerator device having gasinlet means and having an annular wall with a fluid discharge edge at it-s lower end, the combination comprising: 4an elongated imperforate tubular wall adapted to be telescoped over said aerator device spaced radially outwardly from said discharge edge; a throat portion adjacent one end of said tubular wall for contacting one of said discha-rge member and said aerator device at a position spaced above said disch-arge edge; an outlet portion on the other end of said tubular wall including an annular inwardly extending ange spaced beneath said throat portion and beneath said discharge edge to define internally an annular cham-ber surrounding the flow of liquid from said aerator device beneath the discharge edge thereof, said chamber normally passing gas to said gas-inlet means and normally passing aerated discharge from said device, said annular chamber acting to receive a flood of discharging liquid when a momentary backup is caused in the llow of said liquid whereby said ood merges with said rlowv to cut off the normal `flow of gas around said liquid llow and to said ae-rator device for developing a non-aerated discharge, said tlange obstructing gravitational drainage of said dood during continuation of said flow of liquid; and sealing means acting between said tubular wall and the contacted one of said aerator device and said discharge member to prevent air from entering said charnber from said throat portion to displace said llood, wherein the arithmetic difference between the inside diameter of said annular ange and the inside diameter of said annular wall at said discharge edge has an operating range of from about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch and wherein the distance between the upper edge of said ange and said discharge edge has an effective minimum value of about V32 of an inch whereby to cause said chamber to flood and stay ooded upon development of said backup and whereby to permit said chamber to drain upon termination of said non-aerated discharge.

6. In a selective aerating arrangement includ-ing a liquid discharge member and an aerator device at the outlet end of said discharge member, said aerator device having gas-inlet means and having a rst wall with a fluid dischar-ge edge at its lower end, the combination comprising: an elongated imperforate wall adapted to be telescoped over said aerator device spaced radially outwardly from said discharge edge; a throat portion adjacent one end of said imperforate wall for contacting one of said discharge member and said aerator device at a position spaced above said discharge edge; an outlet portion on the other end of said imperforate wall including an inwardly extending ange spaced beneath said throat portion and beneath said discharge edge to define internally a chamber substantially surrounding the flow of liquid from said aerator device beneath the discharge edge .thereof, said chamber normally passing gas to said gas-.inlet means and normally passing aerated discharge from said device, said chamber acting to receive a flood of discharging liquid when a momentary backup is caused in the ow of said liquid whereby said flood merges with said llow to cut ofrr the normal llow of gas around said liquid flow and to said aerator device for developing a non-aerated discharge, said tlange obstructing gravitational drainage of said flood during continuation of said ow of liquid; sealing means acting between said imperforate wall and the contacted one of said aerator device and said discharge member to prevent air from entering said chamber from said throat portion to displace said flood; and stop means extending radially inwardly from said imperforate wall to establish a minimum spacing distance between the upper edge of said flange and a said discharge edge, wherein the a-rithmetic difference between the inside diameter of said flange and the inside diameter of said rst wall at said discharge edge has an operating range of from about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch and wherein the distance between the upper edge of said ilange and said discharge edge has an effective minimum value of about %2 of an inch whereby to cause said chamber to flood and stay flooded upon development of said backup and whereby to permit said `chamber to drain upon termination of said non-aerated discharge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,811,340 10/1957 Aghnides. 2,849,217 8/1958 B'achli et al. 2,954,936 1'0/ 1960 Shames et al. 2,998,927 9/ 1961 Aghnides. 3,011,725 12/1961 Shames et al.

EVER-ETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SELECTIVE AERATING ARRANGEMENT, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A LIQUID DISCHARGE MEMBER; AND AERATOR DEVICE AT THE OUTLET END OF SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER INCLUDING GAS-INLET MEANS AND AN ANNULAR WALL WITH A FLUID DISCHARGE EDGE AT ITS LOWER END; AN ELONGATED IMPERFORATE TUBULAR WALL TELESCOPED OVER SAID AERATOR DEVICE SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID DISCHARGE EDGE; A THROAT PORTION ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR WALL FOR CONTACTING ONE OF SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER AND SAID AERATOR DEVICE AT A POSITION SPACED ABOVE SAID DISCHARGE EDGE; AN OUTLET PORTION ON THE OTHER END OF SAID TUBULAR WALL INCLUDING AN ANNULAR INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE SPACED BENEATH SAID THROAT PORTION AND BENEATH SAID DISCHARGE EDGE TO DEFINE INTERNALLY AN ANNULAR CHAMBER SURROUNDING THE FLOW OF LIQUID FROM SAID AERATOR DEVICE BENEATH THE DISCHARGE EDGE THEREOF, SAID CHAMBER NORMALLY PASSING GAS TO SAID GAS-INLET MEANS AND NORMALLY PASSING AERATED DISCHARGE FROM SAID DEVICE, SAID ANNULAR CHAMBER ACTING TO RECEIVE A FLOOD OF DISCHARGING LIQUID WHEN A MOMENTARY BACKUP IS CAUSED IN THE FLOW OF SAID LIQUID WHEREBY SAID FLOOD MERGES WITH SAID FLOW TO CUT OFF THE NORMAL FLOW OF GAS AROUND SAID LIQUID FLOW AND TO SAID AERATOR DEVICE FOR DEVELOPING A NONAERATED DISCHARGE, SAID FLANGE OBSTRUCTING GRAVITATIONAL DRAINAGE OF SAID FLOOD DURING CONTINUATION OF SAID FLOW OF LIQUID; AND SEALING MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID TUBULAR WALL AND THE CONTACTED ONE OF SAID AERATOR DEVICE AND SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER TO PREVENT AIR FROM ENTERING SAID CHAMBER FROM SAID THROAT PORTION TO DISPLACE SAID FLOOD, WHEREIN THE ARITHMETIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID ANNULAR FLANGE AND THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID ANNULAR WALL AT SAID DISCHARGE EDGE HAS AN OPERATING RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 0.030 INCH TO ABOUT 0.080 INCH AND WHEREIN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID FLANGE AND SAID DISCHARGE EDGE HAS AN EFFECTIVE MINIMUM VALUE OF ABOUT 6/32 OF AN INCH WHEREBY TO CAUSE SAID CHAMBER TO FLOOD AND STAY FLOODED UPON DEVELOPMENT OF A SAID BACKUP AND WHEREBY TO PERMIT SAID CHAMBER TO DRAIN UPON TERMINATION OF SAID NON-AERATED DISCHARGE. 